Connecticut Yankee Council Volunteer e-Bulletin March 18, 2011

To help Scout Leaders find upcoming courses, we have a catalog of future courses to the Council website: Online Catalog. The catalog lists district and Council training courses alphabetically by course name and then date, with links to more information, including registration flyers. The information presented is identical to training courses listed on the website calendar, but in a more convenient format.

Earn Money for Your Unit

Earn money for your unit while saving money on your electric bill. Connecticut Yankee Council has teamed up with Starion Energy to reduce family and friends' electric bill. Click this link, complete the form and your unit earns $2.50 for each enrollment plus a percentage of their electric bill each month. Payments automically deposited to your unit account.

National Scout Shop

www.scoutstuff.org

60 Wellington Road

Milford, CT 06461

(203) 876-0013

Greetings!

Fire & Knives. A Vision for Our Council.

Doug Machin
Council President

I want to take the opportunity to first thank Chris Caruso for a magnificent job in leading our council for the last two years. His accomplishments are too long to list here, but I'll do my best. With Lou Salute, Scout Executive, and John Farley, Council Commissioner, he led the council in achieving Centennial Quality Council both years as president, and the first time in several years. He presided over the building of the Cub Scout Camp at Deer Lake, set to open this summer, having a successful capital campaign in spite of a bad economy. Chris championed the community board and community organizer position in Bridgeport, beginning a new, innovative effort to bring scouting to the inner city. And so much more. I am proud to have served on the Board with Chris!

Looking forward, we have much to do. In my first 60 days, I have concentrated on our 2011 Charter Review, recruiting new board members, and learning all I can about the Journey to Excellence program and how we're positioned for 2011.

What my goals are for 2011-2012? As many of you have taken Wood Badge, you will understand that I have decided to write a ticket. Defining a Mission and Vision are the first steps to developing a ticket. In my mind, the Mission and Vision of the Boy Scouts of America are my responsibility. The only thing I'll add is my personal vision for Scouting. Fire and knives! My metaphor for making sure everything we do is focused on providing an amazing program for the youth we serve.

Vision. The Boy Scouts of America will prepare every eligible youth in America to become a responsible, participating citizen and leader who is guided by the Scout Oath and Law.

Mission. The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.

Goals.

Journey to Excellence Silver, which includes Finance, Membership, Program, Unit Service, Leadership & Governance
Develop the 2012 - 2016 Strategic Plan
Communications, Marketing & Online Development
Increase Cub Scout Membership
Develop a Youth Executive Board

My email address is doug.machin@gmail.com. Communications is incredibly important to me. Email, social networking, web development, twitter have created an overwhelming amount of information that flies past us on a daily basis. But, how does this council get information out to youth, parents, unit serving volunteers, district and council volunteers, the professional staff and board members? We're trying to figure that out. In the mean time, communicate directly with me. Tell me what's on your mind. Good or bad, I'm very interested in how we can deliver on our vision.

Fire and knives!!!

BSA Responds to Japan Disaster

We all watched with a sense of despair and helplessness at the recent horrific devastation caused by the recent earthquake and ensuing tsunami in Japan. Scouts across the globe know that doing a Good Turn without being asked is something we all learned from our time in Scouting. It was one of Baden-Powell's visions, and we have an opportunity now to do a Good Turn for the Scout Association of Japan. Our National Boy Scouts of America has offered their help and assistance to the SAJ and has posted several ways that individuals or local troops can help.

As/when we develop a local response to this disaster, we will inform our volunteers and find ways that the generosity of our Scouting families can make a small difference across the world.

Please click here to learn the Boy Scouts of America's response to the disaster in Japan.

25th Annual Cub Scout Fishing Derby at Deer Lake

Gone Fishing There's simply no better way to start spring than a day out fishing with your son. The lake will be stocked and brimming with fish just waiting for your favorite bait. For the price of $15, you can get a hearty pancake breakfast with sausage and a beverage, a morning of fishing with a two-trout limit and a commemorative patch. Prizes are awarded to the first 75 youth who catch two trout prior to 11 a.m.

Cub Scouts and Webelos can use this as an opportunity to earn the Fishing Beltloop or work on requirements for the Fishnig Sports Pin. Fishing and Fly Fishing Merit Badge classes are available for Boy Scouts. Follow this link for complete details.

Registration is limited and the deadline is March 30. So what are you waiting for? Dust off that "Gone Fishin'" sign and register today!

Cub Scout Camp at Deer Lake Grand Opening

SAVE THE DATE -- Sunday, May 22, 2-5 p.m.

110317deer lake dining hall Join the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Yankee Council as we officially open our newest summer resident camp program at Deer Lake Scout Reservation. This camp will provide memories and experiences to more than 300 Cub Scouts and their families this summer and thousands more in the future. Join in our celebration, tour the camp, enjoy the Scouting fellowship and some refreshments. Please RSVP to Karen Caiati at kcaiati@bsamail.org or (203) 876-6868, Ext. 223.

Scout Night at the Rock Cats

Catch all the fun and excitement of our 11th Annual Rock Cats Scout Night Sleepover on April 30th and July 30th. Camp on the outfield grass after the game, and enjoy a post-game movie on the digital wide screen video board. All packs and troops may present their flags during an on-field ceremony prior to the game. All participating Scouts receive a 2011 Rock Cats Cub Scout Patch! Order early to reserve your seats (don't wait until deadline of April 29 or July 29).

Learn more about Scout Night at the Rock Cats

Accepting Applications for Philmont 2012

Are you ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Applications are now being accepted for the Council's four crews that will be heading to Philmont in July 2012. Troops and Crews may sign up for a whole crew or Scouts and Venturers may register as individuals but don't delay. Spots are filled first come, first served and the crews fill up fast.

Click here for additional information.

New Tour Plan Guidelines & Procedure

Effective March 1, 2011, what are currently known as local and national Tour Permits will be replaced by a "Tour Plan" and the online tour permit system are longer be available. The tour plan is a checklist for best practices to be prepared for safe and fun adventure. Completing the tour plan may not address all possible challenges but can help ensure that appropriate planning has been conducted, that qualified and trained leadership is in place, and that the right equipment is available for the adventure. In addition, the plan helps to organize safe and appropriate transportation to and from an event, and defines driver qualifications and minimum limits of insurance coverage for drivers and vehicles used to transport participants.

Click here to read complete details on the New Tour Plan Guidelines and Procedure.

This newsletter is proudly sponsored by YellowPages.

BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA

Connecticut Yankee Council

60 Wellington Road

Milford, CT 06461

P (203) 876-6868

F (203) 876-6884

The Connecticut Yankee Council, Boy Scouts of America serves nearly 25,000 young people in Fairfield, New Haven and parts of Hartford counties. Scouting's programs encourage youth to pursue their special interests, make new friends, gain a respect for their environment, develop leadership skills and give back to their community. For more information, please visit www.ctyankee.org.